And it is not improbable but that she had dealt no better with others
then these aboue mentioned. For M^r _Thomas Yonges_ of London,
Fishmonger, reported vnto me, that after the demand of a debt due vnto
M^r _Iohn Mason_, Silkeman of the same Citie, whose Widow hee married,
from _Henry Smith_ Glouer her husband, some execrations and curses being
wished vnto him, within three or foure dayes (being then gone to
Yarmouth in Norfolke vpon necessary businesse) there fell sicke, and was
tortured with exceeding and massacring griefes, which by no meanes
(hauing vsed the aduise of sundry learned and experienced Physitians in
Norwich) could in any part be mitigated, and so extraordinarily vexed
thirteene moneths, was constrained to go on Crutches, not being able to
feed himselfe, and amended not before this mischieuous woman was
committed to prison (accused for other wickednesses of the like kinde)
at which time (so neere as he could conjecture) he then receiued some
release of his former paines, though at the present when hee made this
relation, which was at Candlemas last past, had not perfectly recouered
his wonted strength: for his left hand remained lame, and without vse.
But thus much by the way onely, omitting how before this accident a
great Water-dogge ranne ouer his bed, the doore of the chamber where he
lay being shut, no such one knowne (for carefull enquiry was made)
either to haue been in that houfe where hee lodged, or in the whole
Towne at any time.
I doe not insist vpon this, because shee did not nominate him or any
other vnto vs, but onely those foure already expressed: and for the
wrongs done to them, she craued mercy at Gods hands, as for all other
her sins, and in particular for that of Witch-craft, renounced the
Diuell, embraced the mercies of God purchased by the obedience of Iesus
Christ, and professed that her hope was onely by his suffering and
passion to bee saued. And all these, that is to say, her former grieuous
offences committed against God, and his people, her defiance of the
Diuell, and reposing all confidence of saluation in Christ Iesus alone,
and his merits, she in particular maner confessed openly at the place of
execution, in the audience of multitudes of people gathered together (as
is vsuall at such times) to be beholders of her death. And made there
also profession of her faith, and hope of a better life hereafter; and
the meanes whereby she trusted to obtaine the same, as before, hath
beene specified. And being asked, if she would be contented to haue a
Psalm sung, answered willingly that she desired the same, and appointed
it herselfe, _The Lamentation of a Sinner_, whose beginning is, _Lord
turne not away thy face, &c_. And after the ending thereof thus finished
her life: So that in the iudgement of charity we are to conceiue the
best, and thinke shee resteth in peace, notwithstanding her heynous
transgressions formerly committed: for there is no maladay incurable to
the Almighty Physitian, _Esay 1.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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